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Giro director leans on UCI for guidance in Froome case

Giro d’Italia director Mauro Vegni can’t afford to have a repeat of 2011.

Seven seasons ago, Alberto Contador raced the Giro and won by more than six minutes. The trouble was, the UCI was in the process of investigating him for an anti-doping violation stemming from the 2010 Tour de France. After the fact, he was banned from racing and his results were stripped, including that pink jersey.

On Thursday, Italian website ANSA reported that Vegni had called on the UCI for guidance in the matter.

When his race begins May 4 in Israel, he wants to be confident that the riders who start — namely Froome — won’t be suspended and have their results stripped after the fact. He even went so far as to ask for a “certificate” to guarantee bona fide results.

“We certainly can’t accept a repeat of the Contador case or a trial after the fact,” Vegni said.

“Sky should suspend Froome,” Lappartient told French regional newspaper Le Telegramme. “Now, it’s not up to me to interfere. Without wishing to comment on the rider’s guilt, it would be easier for everyone [were Sky to suspend him].”